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Biography

Being number two does not always turn out to be an unsuccessful challenger and Clay Aiken has evinced it brilliantly. As the runner up of the 2003 American Idol, he has proven to score a fantastic attainment more than what the contest's winner, Ruben Studdard, has done. Perhaps all of these have never come to his mind before since he actually does not possess any intention and determination to be a famous singer. Born on November 30, 1978 in Raleigh, North Carolina, he has been named Clayton Holmes Grissom. When Clay was barely one year old, his violent and alcoholic father, Vernon Grissom deserted the family. His mother, Faye Aiken, then raised him on her own with deep affection. This strong willed woman quickly discovered that her son has talent in singing. By the age of 5, Clay was supported to perform at a local high school dance.

When Clay turned six, Faye remarried with Ray Parker. Through this man, he found out what the word "family" means. He, therefore, considered and respected him as his real father until Parker's death in July 2002. Meanwhile, Clay passed his childhood happily, along with his stepsister, Amy, stepbrother, Jeff, and half-brother, Brett. Growing up as a teenager, he joined Raleigh Boys Choir while also being involved in various musical projects, stage plays, and playhouse shows. Nevertheless, his love to teach and help children was greater so that he decided to concentrate on his study. After having been graduated from Raleigh's Leesville Road High School, he took special education major at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he later became the head of its Council of Exceptional Children. Most of his summertime was spent working at local YMCA as well as volunteering to help children with disabilities.

Latest News

Clay Aiken trashed his former congressional opponent Rep. Renee Ellmers in a radio interview with Howard Stern on Monday, April 27. Clay was promoting his upcoming show "The Runner-Up", a reference both to his election and his second-place finish in the season 2 of "American Idol".

Clay Aiken lost his bid for a seat in the House of Representatives on the Democratic ticket in North Carolina second District. According to the Associated Press, Clay was defeated by incumbent Republican Rep. Renee Ellmers on Tuesday evening, November 4.

Keith Crisco, a businessman who competed in Democratic primary against Clay Aiken in North Carolina, has passed away. According to a statement released by his family, Crisco passed away at the age of 71 on Monday, May 12 following an accidental fall at his home in Asheboro, N.C.

Clay Aiken officially joins congressional race in his native North Carolina. The singer, who had previously announced his plans to run for Congress, submitted paperwork on Thursday, February 27 to seek the Democratic nomination in the state's 2nd District.

From "American Idol", Clay Aiken is attempting to make a transition to politic. The "Idol" season 2 runner-up announced on Wednesday, February 5 that he's running for Congress in his native North Carolina, campaigning for Democratic nominee to challenge Republican Rep. Renee Ellmers.

Clay Aiken got an uninvited guest at his North Carolina home last Wednesday, April 3. A woman was caught peering into a window in the front of the former "American Idol" contestant's house. The stranger allegedly hopped a fence to get into his property.

Sean Penn has brought Haiti back to the spotlight by holding an auction fundraiser at this year's Cannes Film Festival. While the final numbers were still being tallied, it is believed that the Oscar winner's "Carnival in Cannes Gala for Haitian Relief" event has managed to raise over $2 million for the country devastated by earthquake in 2010.

Donald Trump has picked Arsenio Hall as the winner of "The Celebrity Apprentice" season 5 although the comedian raised only half of the amount raised by the other finalist, Clay Aiken. Admitting that it was a tough decision, Mr. Trump said, "I've never been so torn," before announcing the champion.

Clay Aiken believes that people will be left embarrassed by their current opposition to same-sex marriage in the future. The former "American Idol" runner-up voiced his opinion on the controversial subject when appearing alongside Tony Perkins, the president of anti-gay marriage Family Research Council, on CBS' "Face the Nation" Sunday, May 13.

Weeks after the first teaser for "True Blood" season 5 was released, more promo videos for the show's upcoming return hit the web. Still not sharing new scenes, each of the teasers gives a look at Fangtasia's, Bill's house and Sookie's house with excerpts of conversations from past events which were set in the place.

Not even a downpour can dampen Jessica Simpson's spirit. The pregnant songstress got caught in a torrential rain when she and her fiance, Eric Johnson (II) left the Boneyard Bistro in Los Angeles after a lunch on Sunday, March 25. Despite the unpleasant weather, she was photographed smiling and laughing as she made a dash to her car.

While it failed to score Best Film gong at some awards show, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II" successfully scooped the top prize at the 2012 Jameson Empire Awards. The final installment of the boy wizard film franchise also brought its helmer David Yates to win the Best Director award at the prize-giving show.

Justin Bieber is not only the only artist who releases a new single on early Monday, March 26. Trey Songz has, on the same day, dropped a fresh music called "Heart Attack" as an official first taste from his upcoming studio album "Chapter 5".

One Direction take the United States by storm. The five good-looking boys, who claimed their fame after participating on "The X Factor" season 7, become talk of the town after making a notable mark both on Billboard Hot 100 and Hot 200.

Rob Kardashian finds himself in trouble because of a prank gone wrong. The season 13 runner-up of "Dancing with the Stars" ended up being handcuffed by the police in Miami after a photographer misunderstood his joke as an aggressive action on early Sunday, March 25 morning, TMZ reported.

The wait is over. Justin Bieber's highly-anticipated single "Boyfriend" has come out for his Beliebers' listening pleasure. It opens with him rapping the first verse over some catchy Justin Timberlake-y melodies with "clubby drum" sound before the pre-hook and the chorus are sung.

Uma Thurman is apparently confident in her pregnant body. The Academy Award nominee, who is expecting her third child at the age of 41-year-old, has proudly flaunted her growing baby bump by wearing a tiny two-piece bikini while soaking up the sun with her family in St. Barts, France over the weekend.

Those competing in the new season of "The Celebrity Apprentice" have been revealed officially on Wednesday, January 4. These bunch of celebrities' names have actually been leaked in October last year when the filming started in New York

The cameras have begun rolling for "The Celebrity Apprentice" season 5. On Tuesday, October 18, the women's team hit New York's West 52nd Street to sell sandwiches during a lunchtime charity challenge.

More names are added to the potential cast ensemble of "The Celebrity Apprentice" season 5. After Cheryl Tiegs and Marco Andretti, runner-up of "American Idol" season 2 Clay Aiken, and John Gotti's daughter Victoria Gotti are also said to fight for Donald Trump's attention on the NBC show.

Musicians Pete Wentz and Clay Aiken have filmed emotional appeals to help boost aid for flood-ravaged Pakistan. The stars, both ambassadors for UNICEF, have added their voices to the campaign to help victims of the disaster as floodwater continue to rise.

Clay Aiken is adamant he doesn't "blame" the record bosses who axed him from his former label, admitting they had a difficult job marketing him to fans. The singer shot to fame on the second series of "American Idol" in 2003, and was quickly snapped up by RCA Records after coming second in the TV talent contest.

Jack Johnson enters Billboard Hot 200 at the first place this week with his new release "To the Sea" and scores his third No. 1 album. It has sold around 243,000 copies, breaking record of an eight-week long streak of chart toppers selling less than 200,000.

Homosexual singer Clay Aiken is lending his support to a gay rights rally in North Carolina by delivering a speech at the event this weekend. The former "American Idol" star, who came out as gay in 2008, will join activists at the Human Rights Campaign Carolinas gala in his hometown of Raleigh.